Dalmeny High School Policies and Guidelines

Section 151 (2) of the Education Act indicates that a student is accountable to the principal for the pupil’s general deportment, including the time spent in travelling between the school and the pupil’s place of residence.

It is impossible to lay down policies or rules to govern the many activities in which two or three hundred students could be involved. Our experience indicates that by the time students reach high school, they will have acquired a reasonable level of maturity and, in most instances, act responsibly. However, since successful group living requires some routine and organization, the following procedures have been established. They are a minimal set of standards which we expect from all students in order to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of all and, we hope, to encourage good standards of citizenship.

1. Respect the rights of other persons. No individual should be subjected to threats or acts of physical violence and/or verbal intimidation.

2. Respect the authority of all staff members at all times.

3. Observe proper conduct in all areas of the school, and in all school-related activities.

4. Observe proper language at all times. Profanity and vulgar language are not appropriate.

5. Respect school property and private property of all persons within the school community.

6. Strive to achieve academic results that reflect their ability by working hard in classes, doing homework that teachers assign and keeping their parents/guardians informed of assignments, tests, and progress.

7. Attend classes regularly and punctually with all necessary materials and texts.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential to academic success and is of extreme importance in preparing oneself for the world of work. Nevertheless, missing classes due to illness, medical appointments, family emergencies and other justifiable reasons is inevitable.

When absent from school, a phone call or a note from a parent or guardian is necessary. Ideally, phone calls should be made to the office before the school day begins. Any absences that are not covered by a parent or guardian within two school days, will be recorded as an unexcused absence. Receiving a note or phone call from a parent or guardian is particularly important when missing a scheduled exam. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the privilege of writing the exam.

Students are responsible for making up all work missed when absent from a class.

Family vacations during the school year should be taken only after careful consideration of the student’s academic performance and the effects of an extended absence on their learning. When parents anticipate that a student will be absent from school for an extended period of time, for family approved functions, they are to contact the school and students should inform their subject teachers. Any work missed during an extended absence is to be completed upon the student’s return to classes according to a timeline set up by the students and their subject teachers.

Students who are absent the day of a practice or a game will not be allowed to participate in an extra-curricular activity that day unless the absence is only for the morning or is for an important, unavoidable event such as a scheduled medical appointment.

Punctuality

To gain the maximum benefit from your school experience it is important to arrive on time for all classes. If you are late, you miss the beginning of a lesson and also interrupt the lesson in progress. This disturbs both the teacher and the other students.

You are considered to be late for class if you are not in your assigned place with your materials when the bell goes and/or class begins. When arriving late for class, you are expected to pick up a late slip from the office and record the reason for your late. Teachers may put in place requirements for you to make up any class time you have missed when you arrive late.

Noon Hours

The noon break occurs from 12:12 to 12:47 on regular school days. Students are encouraged to eat their lunches in assigned lunch rooms. Students who live in town may remain at school during the noon hour, although this privilege can be removed if necessary.

Students are to remain on school premises unless a permission note regarding departure has been signed by parents and returned to the school. Students are encouraged to remain at school and there are optional activities for students to participate in during the lunch hour. The gymnasium is open daily to various grade levels and the computer lab is open for students who want to complete work or just ‘surf’. Students can also access the library for books or a quiet place to work.

Unassigned Periods / Spares

Students in grade 12 may have spares. If they have permission, they may leave the school providing they sign out.

Students in grade 10 and 11 generally do not have spares and if so, they are assigned a work area.

Dalmeny High School Dress Code with 2013 update

Appropriate Dress

•Slogans on all clothing are positive and appropriate for the school setting

•Tops and Shirts must come down to cover the midriff and belly button area

•Skirts and shorts are worn at a length no shorter than fingertip length with arms extended straight down at the sides

•All items designated as underwear are kept under cover (including when bending down)

•Head covers are to be worn for medical or religious reasons only

•Physical Education clothing includes any of the following: track suits, athletic shorts, sweat pants, T-shirts, or sweatshirts. (Students are expected to have a change of clothes for PE classes) Running shoes are a requirement for every Physical Education class

Inappropriate Dress

The following items are examples of dress considered inappropriate for school:

•See through blouses, skirts or pants (must have a lining that keeps all underwear covered)

•Hats in school

•Inappropriately low cut blouses or shirts

•Inappropriately short skirts or shorts

When a staff member identifies that a student may be inappropriately dressed or groomed, the student will be directed to the office to discuss changes that might be required so that the student may return to class. If necessary, school t-shirts or sweat pants will be supplied for the day to students whose attire is inappropriate. Repeat offenses may result in the student being sent home to change or being suspended.

**The final determination about the appropriateness of student dress lies with the staff of the student**

Visitors

All visitors to the school are expected to enter and leave through the front office doors and check in at the office.

Library Use

1. No food or drinks are allowed in the library.

2. The reading pod is intended for quiet reading unless your teacher assigns the space for another activity.

3. Please sign out all library materials at the computer with your library monitor or librarian or in the red sign-out book.

4. Please check the conference room schedule posted on the bulletin board next to the door before entering to make sure you are not interrupting another group.

5. Please return or renew all materials on or before the due date as other students may be waiting for those materials.

Use of Cell Phones, iPods and other Electronic Devices

We wish to encourage a forward-thinking approach that integrates technology for the purpose of enhancing learning and promoting appropriate etiquette for use of electronic devices in a large social setting. Students should exercise caution when sending and receiving calls and texts within the building so as to avoid interrupting on-going classes and activities.

The following guidelines have been designed to maintain a focus on using technology for educational purposes in the school.

1. Cell phones, iPods, and other electronic devices are not to be used during class time or instructional periods unless authorized by the classroom teacher. This includes in the library, the theatre, during labs and indoor and outdoor physical education classes and field trips.

2. Cell phones and other devices are to be turned off or placed on silent mode during class.

3. Students should keep electronic devices in a location such as their backpacks, handbags or lockers to minimize distraction and for security purposes.

4. Parents who wish to contact their child during class-time should direct their call through the office at 254-2036.

5. Cell phones, iPods and other electronic devices may be used before and after school, during breaks, at lunch-time and during spares. The daily school schedule is available on our school website.

6. Students leaving the classroom during instructional time may be asked to leave their devices, including music players, with the teacher.

7. Use of cameras (accessible on cell phones) is strictly forbidden in classrooms, locker rooms, dressing areas, washrooms and other private areas of the school unless authorized by the classroom teacher for educational purposes. Such use may also be in violation of the criminal code.

8. Unauthorized use of these devices is a violation of school policy and the following consequences may result:

First Offence: The device will be confiscated until the end of the class.

Second Offence: The device will be confiscated and the student may pick up the device from the office.

Third Offence: The device will be confiscated and a parent/guardian will be contacted, at which time arrangements will be made for the device to be picked up.

Using School Computers

1. No food or drink is allowed in the vicinity of computers.

2. Altering cords or computer components is forbidden.

3. Please log off at the end of your use and push in chair.

4. Please be respectful, responsible and appropriate in your use.

Using School iPads

1. No food or drink is allowed in the vicinity of iPads.

2. Please turn the Wifi setting off and then on after each use.

3. Please delete any email accounts you may have set up during your use.

4. Please clean the front and the back of the iPad with provided cleaner and cloth after each use.

5. Please return to charging dock and plug into the correct numbered slot.

6. Please be respectful, responsible and appropriate in your use.

Using School Printers

1. Printing is for academic use only.

2. Please seek immediate assistance if your document doesn’t print.

Lockers

Students will be provided with a combination lock and an assigned locker for a small fee. Only school locks are allowed and students may occupy one locker only. It is the responsibility of the student to keep their locker clean, free of objectionable material and in a state of good repair. It should be noted that, given reason, the school reserves the right to enter individual lockers. If a lock is lost, the student will be charged for a new lock.

Billeting

Each bus student is required to have a billet in the event of a storm or some other emergency which results in the school closing early and/or buses being unable to complete their return run. Billet information is part of the registration form. If changes are made to billet information, please notify the school. If the school is closed and if buses are inoperative, bus students are to proceed immediately to their billets. Any personal arrangement with the home should be made from the billet. Parents are advised that students will not be dismissed early in the event of a storm – buses will either leave at 3:00 or will not run. In the case of the latter, students will be directed to their billets.

Final Exams and Projects

Grade 7-9 final exams are based on the final unit of work as per school division policy. Grade 10-12 final exams are scheduled and can only be rescheduled under extreme extending circumstances.

Some classes offer a project option rather than a final exam. Students have to meet the criteria to be eligible to do a project as set out by the teacher early in the year. The project has the same value as a final exam.

Student Vehicles

Students are allowed to drive to school and use their vehicles. They do not have access to any special parking spots and the school takes no responsibility for the vehicle while the student is at school. Students have no access to plug ins. At times, students misusing the privilege may be asked to leave their keys at the office.

Drugs and Alcohol

Policy prohibit’s the use or possession of illegal drugs or alcohol during school hours or school activities. Discipline for such events is laid out in the Education Act.

Extracurricular Activities

Dalmeny High School provides a wide variety of extracurricular activities for our students and, in keeping with the tradition of excellence in academics, it is important that the students at DHS place academics as the number one priority.

DHS Teams and Clubs are to adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Team focus shall be on building strong mutual respect with other team mates, coaches, and members.

c) ensure DHS students are exceptional ambassadors of our school while hosting and playing at other hosts sites.

d) ensure requests to leave school for athletics are approved by the principal. Exceptions will be made for conference, district and provincial play-offs.

3. Students who are absent the day of a practice or a game will not be allowed to participate in an extra-curricular activity that day unless the absence is only for the morning or is for an important, unavoidable event such as a scheduled medical appointment.

4. Coaches and supervisors shall communicate with subject teachers on a regular basis about members of their team or clubs. Students who are challenged academically may need to be monitored closely by the staff.

5. Staff and students participating in extracurricular activities are responsible for properly cleaning the facilities after use.

Accident Insurance

For the 2014 to 2015 academic year, the Board has purchased a plan of accident insurance covering each student. This insurance is in excess of any other accident, health care or employee benefit insurance coverage applicable.

The students have 24 hour coverage on school days and while in attendance at or participating in school approved and supervised activities and while travelling directly to and from school or school approved and supervised activities.

It is the parent’s responsibility to submit the claim to Industrial Alliance Pacific Life Insurance Company. The parents can make arrangements for payment method.

In the case of dental injury, a dentist must be consulted within 60 days of the accident.

PowerSchool

Powerschool is our current student data system that contains all the marks, attendance and demographics of our student body. Each student and parent has their own access to this software online. Marks are posted within 10 school days of the work being handed in.

If you require your code to access the account or are having trouble, please contact the office.

Graduation Ceremony

In order for a student to participate in the graduation ceremony they have to have successful passed all classes to meet the Sask Ministry of Learning requirements. In the event that a student is unsuccessful on a final exam in June, they will be able to attend the banquet on the day of graduation but will not be part of the exercises.